Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is now recognized as a robust method for detecting alcohol and drug consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of these substances by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand fibers as they grow. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer nearly a three-month window for identifying alcohol and other drug use. It is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in size) near the scalp yields around 100mg, the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to collect 150mg of the sample. Using a jeweler’s scale is suggested for weighing the specimen. When scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be obtained. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result consists of four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into the lab's system. This phase involves checking that the sample was properly sealed and delivered, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input missing from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient strategy for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples with tentative positive results in Screening require subsequent confirmation.
If Screening yields a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. During this stage, substances are separated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all tentative positive samples undergo washing as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the test inspects the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp.
Hair follicle testing outperforms traditional urine tests in Hollister, MO, offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair analyses can identify drug use over an extended period, providing a clearer understanding of substance habits, thus serving as a more robust tool for employers seeking comprehensive evaluations.
In Hollister, MO, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, up to 90 days, making it an invaluable tool for employers seeking a complete view of an individual's drug use history. This capability allows organizations to make more informed decisions about potential and current employees.
Hair follicle tests conducted in Hollister, MO, present a tamper-resistant testing method that minimizes sample adulteration risk. The reliability of results provides confidence, as the chance of manipulated outcomes is greatly reduced compared to other testing forms, ensuring unquestionable outcomes in drug screenings.
Convenient testing locations across Hollister, MO, and nationally provide hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services. This allows individuals and businesses to undergo necessary tests quickly and efficiently, benefiting from the widespread availability of reliable testing centers.
The hair follicle testing process in Hollister, MO, is designed to be simple and confidential. It ensures privacy while addressing ease of use, with straightforward steps for ordering, conducting, and obtaining results, making the testing experience smooth and discreet for all involved.
With competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Hollister, MO, offers exceptional value. This approach provides peace of mind to companies of all sizes, ensuring affordability without compromising on the swift delivery of reliable testing results.
In Hollister, MO, precise, fast, and reliable results from hair follicle drug tests set a high standard in substance detection. The testing method ensures accurate identification of drug use, giving rapid feedback to meet urgent needs, as a dependable, efficient option that stands out in today's drug testing landscape.
In Hollister, MO, businesses gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace mandates. This method reduces legal vulnerabilities and bolsters safety, reassuring employers about the efficacy and adherence to policies within the organization.
